The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the latest data on the financial positions of scheduled banks in India, as of March 7, 2025, providing valuable insights into the sector’s performance. The figures, including those from scheduled commercial banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Payments Banks (PBs), highlight key financial metrics in terms of liabilities, assets, borrowings, and credit growth.
As of March 7, 2025, scheduled commercial banks reported a decrease in demand and time deposits from ₹293,601.63 crore in March 2024 to ₹284,322.07 crore. Total liabilities to the banking system stood at ₹289,252.63 crore across all scheduled banks. Borrowings from banks remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from ₹112,778.14 crore in February 2025 to ₹113,375.74 crore as of March 7, 2025. Other demand and time liabilities also saw an increase, rising from ₹36,706.95 crore in February 2025 to ₹38,843.52 crore in March 2025.
Deposits from the public continued to grow, reaching ₹22,510,122.50 crore in March 2025, up from ₹22,284,304.53 crore in February 2025. Demand deposits increased to ₹2,541,481.36 crore, while time deposits rose to ₹19,968,641.13 crore. Borrowings from other sources showed a notable increase, reaching ₹939,107.58 crore as of March 7, 2025, compared to ₹900,975.06 crore in February 2025. Meanwhile, borrowings from the RBI witnessed a significant decrease, dropping from ₹301,901 crore in February 2025 to ₹183,436 crore as of March 7, 2025.
Cash holdings within the banking system decreased slightly from ₹81,159.47 crore in February 2025 to ₹83,047.83 crore in March 2025. Balances held with the RBI also saw a marginal dip, reaching ₹887,266.98 crore in March 2025 from ₹888,462 crore in February 2025.
The total investments held by scheduled commercial banks amounted to ₹6,737,320.05 crore as of March 7, 2025, showing growth from ₹6,651,031.12 crore in February 2025. The majority of these investments were in Central and State Government securities. Bank credit, excluding inter-bank advances, increased to ₹18,128,582.25 crore from ₹17,989,979.44 crore, reflecting continued demand for loans. This includes loans, cash credits, overdrafts, and bills purchased or discounted.
Scheduled commercial banks’ food credit outstanding saw a decrease, reaching ₹42,552.27 crore on March 7, 2025, down from ₹47,447.85 crore on February 21, 2025. In contrast, scheduled cooperative banks maintained stability in food credit outstanding, which stood at ₹50,613.50 crore.
In conclusion, the data reflects the continued growth of India’s banking sector despite some fluctuations in specific areas. Key metrics such as total deposits, borrowings, and investments show positive trends, indicating resilience in the sector. The decline in food credit and borrowings from the RBI suggests a cautious but steady financial landscape. As of March 2025, the number of scheduled commercial banks stands at 135, highlighting a robust banking infrastructure that plays a crucial role in supporting India’s financial ecosystem and economic development.
These figures provide an important snapshot of the health and stability of India’s banking sector, reinforcing its role in sustaining the nation’s economic momentum.